No Strings Attached

Lifelong friends Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) attempt to avoid falling in love after falling into each other's beds in this comedy exploring the complexities and quirks of having friends with benefits. Adam was a typical, hormonal 14-year-old when he first came on to Emma at summer/a>/a>

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Overview

Lifelong friends Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) attempt to avoid falling in love after falling into each other's beds in this comedy exploring the complexities and quirks of having friends with benefits. Adam was a typical, hormonal 14-year-old when he first came on to Emma at summer camp -- and got shot down in flames. In the years that followed, however, Adam and Emma continued to cross paths until, eventually, they both caved to their animal instincts. Despite an intense session of earth-shaking sex, however, Emma makes it clear to Adam that the last thing she wants is a committed relationship. And thanks to the fact that Adam's father (Kevin Kline), a fallen television star, has just begun dating his son's ex-girlfriend, the horrified bachelor has developed an aversion to monogamy as well. At first their casual stance on sex works great for both; Emma can focus on her career instead of allowing her emotions to dictate her decisions, and Adam can play the field without fear of hurting her feelings. Over time, though, a funny thing happens -- Adam begins to develop feelings for Emma that he never had for any of his countless conquests. Before they both know it, love has reared its ugly head and they've gotten too emotionally involved to cut the relationship off cold. But is commitment in the cards for the couple that always swore it would never get serious, or has the time come for them to finally part ways once and for all?

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Jason Buchanan

A sexually liberated, sweet-and-sour romance buoyed by a cracking freshman screenplay and some sophisticated characterization that elevates it above the usual rom-com fare, No Strings Attached benefits tremendously from star Natalie Portman's strong centerpiece performance and a unique combination of talent behind the camera. And while few who buy a ticket will ever doubt how the story will end, the journey is the destination as Elizabeth Meriwether's vivaciously libertine story treats convention like a one-night stand while detailing the inherent flaws of friends-with-benefits relationships. Adam (Ashton Kutcher) was a typical hormonal 14-year-old when he first came on to Emma (Portman) at summer camp -- and got shot down in flames. In the years that followed, however, Adam and Emma continued to cross paths until, eventually, they both caved to their animal instincts. Despite an intense session of earth-shaking sex, however, Emma makes it clear to Adam that the last thing she wants is a committed relationship. And thanks to the fact that Adam's father (Kevin Kline), a fallen television star, has just begun dating his son's ex-girlfriend, the horrified bachelor has developed an aversion to monogamy as well. At first their casual stance on sex works great for both of them; Emma can focus on her career instead of allowing her emotions to dictate her decisions, and Adam can play the field without fear of hurting her feelings. Over time, though, a funny thing happens -- Adam begins to develop feelings for Emma that he never had for any of his countless conquests. Before they both know it, love has reared its ugly head and they've gotten too emotionally involved to cut the relationship off cold. But is commitment in the cards for the couple that always swore it would never get serious, or has the time come for them to finally part ways once and for all? Perhaps, given the dialogue-driven nature of No Strings Attached, the film's youthful take on contemporary romance, and the distinct lack of big-budget set pieces that frequently crop up in Ivan Reitman's movies, it may come as a slight surprise that the veteran director's first feature in five years plays a bit more like one of his son Jason's introspective dramedies than one from the man who brought us such special-effects-heavy spectacles as Ghostbusters, Evolution, and My Super Ex-Girlfriend -- but the result is arguably his most consistently satisfying film since the early '90s. Reitman obviously knows a good screenplay when he sees one, and Meriwether's observant, salaciously charming first effort certainly qualifies. She wastes no time in setting the frank sexual tone in an efficient, compulsively funny setup, and continues to impress with her natural instinct for comic timing as Adam and Emma's lusty arrangement gradually gives way to something of real substance. Somewhere between Reitman's assured direction, Meriwether's puckish writing style, and a great ensemble cast including Kevin Kline, Greta Gerwig, and Lake Bell, No Strings Attached strikes an ideal balance between convention and kink, continually blindsiding us with a series of witty verbal sucker punches and off-kilter character beats. All of this leads us to the film's single strongest asset: Natalie Portman. No Strings Attached hits theaters almost immediately following Portman's Golden Globe win for Best Actress in Black Swan, offering further proof that she has rightfully earned her status as one of the most talented, versatile actresses in Hollywood. While credit must be given to Meriwether for conceiving a character much more complex than your stereotypical rom-com paramour, it's Portman who instills Emma with a sense of depth and damage that doesn't weigh down the proceedings even after she's hit rock bottom. And despite the fact that we really only get a superficial glimpse into the factors that have rendered Emma unable to get involved in a committed relationship, Portman retains our sympathy by allowing the character's emotions to register honestly and genuinely as she begins to realize what she's letting slip through her fingers. Kutcher's effective blend of handsome looks and goofy charm makes Adam the type of good-hearted everyman any girl could fall for, even if the two romantic leads seem like the most unlikely of couples offscreen. The end result is an atypical "chick flick" that's sure to make the ladies swoon, and give their reluctant male companions some genuine laughs at the same time.

Menu

Disc #1 -- No Strings Attached Play Set Up Audio Options English 5.1 Surround Français Español English Audio Description Commentary with Director Ivan Reitman Subtitle Options English Français Español Subtitle Options: None Special Features Commentary With Director Ivan Reitman Sex Friends: Getting Together Inside The Sassy Halls Of Secret High Deleted Scenes Play All Eli Hits On Patrice Wake "What Good Is A Boy?" Extended "It Was You" Extended Alternate Storyline Scenes Play All Printer I Can't Do This Previews Scene Selection

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I don't know how that "garbage" review made it on here twice, but this film was so enjoyable that I almost stayed in the theatre to watch the next showing...and I definitely picked it up on release day and have already watched it several times at home. It's true that the supporting characters steal the show, but somehow that always happens (Will&Grace and What Happens in Vegas come to mind) in these films. That doesn't mean the main players don't step up to the plate. This film has not one but two adorable love stories, yes it's pretty predictable as most rom coms are, but the content is hilarious on the level of The Hangover making No Strings a truly refreshing feel-good film to be watched over and over.
I haven't showed it a person who hasn't loved it!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

TiredofGarbage

More than 1 year ago

I am a big fan of Kevin Kline, and he shines in this movie, along with Lake Bell. But you have to sit through a lot of meaningless garbage to see these 2 real actors work. Sadly, it's not worth it. It's a terrible script, full of hypocrisy and bias, particularly against anyone "old." Portman has the traditional male role, the heartless person only out for sex, which she plays very badly. And Kutchner has the female role, the shrinking violet with the big heart. Neither is good, and the script is completely unbelievable. If this movie is the only one on your flight, take a nap, it's that bad.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Heavy_Metal_Sushi

More than 1 year ago

I'm a firm believer in actually waiting to have sex until you have found someone special that you plan to be with the rest of your life, but to each their own. That being said though, my personal feelings aside, this movie was actually pretty enjoyable. It was quirky, funny, and light hearted. If you're into romantic comedies, do give this one a watch at some point. It is quite entertaining.